Rietz: Election law needs clarification

The Champaign County state's attorney says the law is unclear when it comes to handling candidates who withdraw from an election after ballots have already been sent to overseas and military voters.

Champaign County Board member Stephanie Holderfield lost the nomination for circuit clerk in last month's primary to Rick Winkel by 240 votes, despite Winkel withdrawing from the race more than a month before.

Winkel then declined the nomination, leaving the decision of who would be the Republican nominee for the November election up to the party's precinct committeemen. Katie Blakeman of Champaign was chosen as the nominee last week.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz says it's interesting that people voted for Rick Winkel, even though he made it clear that he was dropping out of the race.